California’s Waterlogged Ground Faces Double Threat of Flooding and Mudslides

A powerful atmospheric river is bearing down on California, threatening to unleash even more flooding and mudslides in regions that have already been waterlogged by weeks of back-to-back storms. The National Weather Service has issued a high-risk warning for excessive rainfall across the state, predicting that the heavy precipitation will fall on already saturated soils, increasing the danger of flooding.

Major rivers are already overflowing in 16 locations, including the Pajaro River, which burst its levee over the weekend, leaving surrounding farmland inundated with floodwater. At least 70 flood watches and warnings are in effect across the state, with coastal and mountainous communities in the crosshairs.

The Double Whammy: California’s Drenched Ground and Stormy Weather Combine

California’s soil is already saturated from months of dry weather, followed by a prolonged period of rainfall, according to the Bay Area office of the National Weather Service. The combination of heavy precipitation and saturated ground is a recipe for disaster, warns the agency. “Given our saturated soils and strong wind gusts, it will not take much to bring down trees today.”

Fierce winds, reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour in some areas, will also topple trees and power lines, leaving thousands without electricity. Meanwhile, snowfall is expected to reach depths of over 2 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which were already buried by previous storms.

State park officials have cautioned visitors against traveling to the Lake Tahoe area, where an avalanche warning has been issued. A thin crust of ice has formed over the lake’s crystalline depths, and officials are worried about the potential for flooding and treacherous road conditions.

Experts warn that the climate crisis will lead to more frequent and intense storms, making it even harder to predict and prepare for flooding and mudslides. The risk of extreme swings between drought, fire, snow, and rain will only heighten the challenge of mitigating flood risks.

The flooded agricultural region surrounding the Pajaro River is a major concern, with winery and farming experts worried about the impact on crops. Karla Loreto, a gas station attendant, expressed concern for the community’s farm workers, predicting that the flooding would render them jobless for the upcoming growing season. “The fields are flooded right now,” she said. “Probably no jobs there right now. For this year, probably no strawberries, no blackberries, no blueberries.”

Local authorities have rescued about 170 people stranded in evacuation areas since Friday, including a woman and her baby who became trapped in high waters. However, around 20 to 40 people remain trapped near the Salinas River due to impassable roads.

This unusual convergence of stormy weather and climate crisis has put the state’s waterlogged regions in a precarious position. As the weather service’s high-risk warning underscores, the situation is dire, and residents must be prepared for the worst.